National Sports Day: India celebrates National Sports day on 29th August every year. It is celebrated in the memory of Hockey legend Dhyan Chand’s birth Anniversary who made India proud of his extraordinary sporting skills. He was the greatest hockey player who won gold medals for India in the years 1928, 1932 and 1936.
India’s most successful player Dhyan Chand was born on 29 August 2023 in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, officially known as ‘Major Dhyan Chand’. At the early age of 16 he joined the Indian army, his mentor Subedar Major Bale Tiwari recognised his talent and guided him through the initial stages of his career in the sport.
Pankaj Gupta was the first coach of Dhyan Chand who taught him the game, and this made Dhyan Chand a master in ball dribbling and goal scoring.
Dhyan Chand Career in Sports
During his sports career, he won Olympic Gold medals for six times for India in a row. His lifetime awards and achievements in sports are considered as the highest point in the history of the Indian sports.
He scored more than 400 goals in his career which spanned 22 years and honoured with one of the prestigious award ‘Padma Bhushan’. Dhyan Chand contributed to the game even after his retirement; he became the coach of the hockey team at National Institute of Sports in Patiala.
The National Sports day dedicated to the brilliant hockey player Dhyan Chand. This day celebrated by conducting friendly matches between different Indian hockey teams at Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi. This stadium was constructed in respect and honour of Major Dhyan Chand.
On this day, the Government of India organises the ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhawan, and the President gives out all sports-related awards like Arjuna, Rajivkhel Ratna, Dronacharya and other Awards. The government holds this function on sports day every year to honour sportsperson and coaches who made the country proud with their service in their respective sports. As the celebrations held every year but still very few are aware of the significance.
The Dhyan Chand Award which is the nation’s highest award for sporting excellence and has first given in the year 2002 on 29th August.
Many schools across the country celebrate their Annual Sports day along with National Sports Day. This is done with the aim of increasing the knowledge of sports to the young children. By educating them about of one of the most sports personalities of India and motivating them to make a successful career in different posts.
Sports are not just training, and it is a culture that needs to promote. And there is no better place to do then at our schools that build India’s better future.
National Sports Day Quotes
“A good hockey player plays where the puck is. A great hockey player plays where the puck is going to be.” - Wayne Gretzky
“Any time Detroit scores more than 100 points and holds the other team below 100 points they almost always win.” - Doug Collins
“Approach the game with no preset agendas and you’ll probably come away surprised at your overall efforts.” - Phil Jackson
Gold Medals aren’t really made of Gold. They’re made of Sweat, Determination, and hard-to-find alloy called guts.
Winning means you’re willing to go longer, work harder, and give more than anyone else - Vince Lombardi
Don’t practice until you get it right. Practice until you can’t get it wrong.
Champions aren’t made in the gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them — a desire, a dream, a vision - Muhammad Ali
Love is playing every game as if it’s your last- Michael Jordan
“There may be people that have more talent than you, but there’s no excuse for anyone to work harder than you do.”- Derek Jeter
“It isn’t the mountains ahead to climb that wear you out; it’s the pebble in your shoe.” - Muhammad Ali
